Animal enclosure with dual door assembly

ABSTRACT

An animal enclosure including a plurality of members defining an interior of the enclosure. One of the plurality of members includes a first member having a frame structure and door assembly formed by a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. At least two of the horizontal wires of the frame structure form a hook positioned inside the defined opening. The door assembly is coupled to the frame and moves between an open and close positions. The door assembly includes a first door and a second door removably coupled to one another. The enclosure also includes a latch assembly for releasing the door assembly from the frame structure. In the close position, at least one horizontal wire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire of the second door are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least two horizontal wires of the frame structure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/743,131, filed Jun. 18, 2015 entitled “Animal Enclosure with DualDoor Assembly”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/911,167, filed Jun. 6, 2013 entitled “Animal Enclosure with DualDoor Assembly”, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/759,570, filed Feb. 5, 2013 entitled “AnimalEnclosure with Dual Door Assembly”, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an animal enclosure, and in particularto an enclosure having a dual door assembly.

BACKGROUND

The use of animal cage is well known in the prior art. Many conventionalcages have been developed over the years for housing animals ofdifferent sizes, and through the development of these cages flexibilityand portability have become points of emphasis. Some conventional cages,for example, have been designed to collapse to a compact position forportability. Others have been designed of light weight and from durablematerials. Conventional cages have been designed for ease oftransporting an animal. Some conventional cages are designed as exercisepens that provide an interior space that the animal can move about,particularly outdoors.

Most conventional cages include at least one door for providing accessto the interior of the cage. An animal can enter or exit the cagethrough the opening when the door is opened, and the animal can besafely contained in the cage when the door is closed. Many conventionalcages include a door that is attached to the cage via a hinge. Thisallows the door to be swung open and close. A variety of latches havebeen incorporated into the design of the door to allow a user to open orsecurely lock the door.

Many of these conventional designs have limitations, however. Withregards to an exercise pen, for example, the door is generally formed byan entire height and width of a panel or side member of the pen. Many ofthese doors are not able to be securely latched or may not prevent ananimal from escaping therefrom. In addition, due to the size of thedoor, it can be difficult for an owner to reach into the interior of theexercise pen and retrieve a desired animal when two or more animals areenclosed therein.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved animal enclosure that can becollapsible, portable, and provides better means for accessing theinterior of the enclosure which overcomes some of the above-mentionedlimitations in the prior art.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an animal enclosure isprovided. The enclosure includes a plurality of members defining aninterior of the enclosure, where the plurality of members includes atleast a first member. A frame structure of the first member has aplurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define anopening for an animal to pass therethrough and enter or exit theinterior of the enclosure. At least two of the horizontal wires of theframe structure form a hook positioned inside the defined opening. Theenclosure also includes a door assembly of the first member having aplurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires and beingcoupled to the frame structure. The door assembly is pivotable about andslideable along a vertical pivot wire of the frame structure to movebetween an open position and a close position, where the door assemblyincludes a first door and a second door removably coupled to oneanother. A latch assembly is also provided and includes a first end, asecond end, and a substantially U-shaped structure therebetween, wherethe first end and second end are pivotally coupled to a horizontal wireof the door assembly. In the close position, at least one horizontalwire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire of the seconddoor are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least two horizontalwires of the frame structure.

In one aspect, the latch assembly is formed by a single wire. In anotheraspect, the first end and second end of the latch assembly are bent todefine an opening for receiving the horizontal wire of the doorassembly. In a further aspect, a horizontal wire of the frame structureis disposed in the opening defined in the second end of the latchassembly in the close position. In a different embodiment, a firstmechanism is integrally coupled to the first door and a second mechanismis integrally coupled to the second door. Here, when the first door andsecond door are coupled to one another, the first mechanism is disposedin contact with the second door and the second mechanism is disposed incontact with the first door.

The animal enclosure may also include a vertical wire of the first doorhaving a hooked end that overlaps and contacts a portion of the firstdoor in the close position. In yet another aspect, the enclosureincludes a clip coupled to the second door. The clip can be integrallyformed by a vertical wire of the second door. Moreover, a horizontalwire of the first door can be removably coupled to the clip when thefirst door and second door are coupled to one another.

In another embodiment, a side member is provided for an exercise pen foraccommodating an animal. The side member includes a frame structurehaving a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires thatdefine an opening for an animal to pass therethrough and enter or exitthe exercise pen. The frame structure includes an outer frame wire, avertical pivot wire, and a first horizontal wire. The side member alsoincludes a door assembly having a plurality of interconnected horizontaland vertical wires and being coupled to the frame structure. The doorassembly is pivotable about and slideable along the vertical pivot wireto move between an open position and a close position. The door assemblyincludes a first door and a second door removably coupled to oneanother. The side member further includes a latch assembly having afirst end, a second end, and a handle portion therebetween, where thefirst end and second end are pivotally coupled to a horizontal wire ofthe door assembly. The first end and second end of the latch assemblyare bent to define an opening for receiving the horizontal wire of thedoor assembly and, in the close position, the first horizontal wire ofthe frame structure is disposed in the opening defined in the second endof the latch assembly.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the latch assembly is formed by asingle wire. In another aspect, at least two of the horizontal wires ofthe frame structure each form a hook. Each hook can be positioned insidethe defined opening. Moreover, in the close position, at least onehorizontal wire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire ofthe second door are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least twohorizontal wires of the frame structure.

In a different aspect, a first mechanism is integrally coupled to thefirst door and a second mechanism is integrally coupled to the seconddoor. Here, when the first door and second door are coupled to oneanother, the first mechanism is disposed in contact with the second doorand the second mechanism is disposed in contact with the first door. Inaddition, a vertical wire of the first door can have a hooked end thatoverlaps and contacts a portion of the first door in the close position.In a further aspect, a vertical wire of the second door has one end bentdownwardly to form a clip. The vertical wire is coupled to an upper-mosthorizontal wire of the second door. A bottom-most horizontal wire of thefirst door can be removably coupled to the clip when the first door andsecond door are coupled to one another.

In a different embodiment of the present disclosure, a door assembly isprovided for an exercise pen for accommodating an animal. The doorassembly includes a frame structure having a plurality of interconnectedhorizontal and vertical wires that define an opening for an animal topass therethrough. The frame structure includes a vertical pivot wireand at least two of the horizontal wires form an upright hook disposedinside the defined opening. The door assembly also includes a first doorhaving a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. Eachof the plurality of horizontal wires includes a curled end that definesan opening for receiving the vertical pivot wire such that the firstdoor is pivotable about and vertically slideable about the verticalpivot wire. The door assembly further includes a second door having aplurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. Each of theplurality of horizontal wires includes a curled end that defines anopening for receiving the vertical pivot wire such that the second dooris pivotable about and vertically slideable about the vertical pivotwire. At least one horizontal wire of the first door and at least onehorizontal wire of the second door are coupled to the upright hooksformed by the at least two horizontal wires of the frame structure.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the door assembly includes a verticalwire of the second door having a hooked end that overlaps and contacts aportion of the first door in the close position. In another aspect, avertical wire of the second door has one end bent downwardly to form aclip. The clip engages a horizontal wire of the first door when thefirst door and second door are coupled to one another.

In a different aspect, the door assembly can be configured in a firstconfiguration and a second configuration. In the first configuration,the first door and second door are engaged to one another such that avertical wire of the first door is disposed in an opening definedbetween a transverse loop wire and the second door; a vertical wire ofthe second door has a bent end forming a downwardly facing clip, wherethe clip engages a horizontal wire of the first door; and the first doorand second door are moveable about the vertical pivot wire of the framestructure in a substantially concomitant relationship to one another. Inthe second configuration, the first door and second door are disengagedfrom one another such the vertical wire of the first door is removedfrom the opening defined between the transverse loop wire and the seconddoor; the horizontal wire of the first door is disengaged from the clip;and the first door and second door are moveable relative to one anotherabout the vertical pivot wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal enclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a door frame and door assembly of theanimal enclosure of FIG. 1 in a close position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the door frame and door assembly of FIG.2 with a latch in a partially open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a clip for coupling afirst door and second door of the door assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the door assembly of FIG. 2 in an openposition;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first door of the door assembly inan open position and the second door in a close position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the clip;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the latch of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a door frame and door assembly of theanimal enclosure of FIG. 1 in the close position with an alternativelatching assembly; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the alternative latching assembly ofFIG. 9.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseforms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, theembodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the artmay appreciate and understand the principles and practices of thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to a collapsible animal enclosure. Theanimal enclosure can be used for multiple purposes, such as to containan animal or another object. The enclosure can be made of any size foraccommodating an object of any size. In addition, the enclosure can bemade of different materials including aluminum, plastic, and steel. Theenclosure can be designed as an animal crate for defining an interiorthat is surrounded at all sides, or it can be designed as an exercisepen in which at least one side is uncovered.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an animal enclosure 100 is shown.The enclosure 100 is in the form of an exercise pen, but this is onlyintended to be an example. The enclosure 100 can be formed ofsubstantially horizontal and vertical wires that overlap one another todefine an interior portion 118. One or more of the horizontal wires canbe coupled to one or more of the vertical wires, and vice versa, to addstructural integrity to the enclosure 100. For instance, the wires maybe welded, adhered, fastened, or coupled to one another through avariety of means. The enclosure 100 can include a plurality of sides ormembers that form the enclosure 100.

In FIG. 1, for example, the enclosure includes a first member 102, asecond member 104, a third member 106, a fourth member 108, a fifthmember 110, a sixth member 112, a seventh member 114, and an eighthmember 116. Each individual member can be coupled to an adjacent membervia a fastener, clip, latch, or other means. For instance, in FIG. 1,each member is coupled to an adjacent member by use of one or moreclips. Vertical wires of the respective member can be rotatably disposedwithin the clip to allow the enclosure, of any number of sides, to beconfigured in a desired manner. While the illustrated embodiment depictseight sides, other embodiments may include any number of sides. In thismanner, a user may assemble the enclosure to any desired shape based onthe size of the animal, object, etc. being contained therein.

With respect to the enclosure 100, the first member 102 is shown havinga door assembly 120. The door assembly 120 can be coupled to a framedefined by the first member 102 such that the door assembly 120 can beconfigured between an open position and a close position. For instance,the door assembly 120 can be pivotally coupled to the frame so that thedoor assembly 120 can pivot between said positions. Moreover, othermembers can include a door assembly. Although only one door assembly 120is shown in FIG. 1, in other embodiments there can be two or more doorassemblies for accessing the interior 118 of the enclosure 100.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the first member 102 and its door assembly 120is shown in greater detail. The door assembly 120 can be formed as asingle or dual door assembly. In FIG. 2, the door assembly 120 includesa first door 200 and a second door 202. Here, the first door 200 andsecond door 202 can be moved between a close position (e.g., FIG. 2) anda substantially open position (e.g., FIG. 5). Moreover, one of the firstdoor 200 and second door 202 can be moved between the open position andclose position relative to the other door (e.g., FIG. 6).

The first door 200 can include a handle or latch assembly 204 forreleasably engaging with the first member 102. The latch assembly 204can be disposed in an engaged position (e.g., FIG. 2) with a firsthorizontal wire 206 of the first member 102. To open the first door 200or the door assembly 120, the latch assembly 204 can be moved alongdirection 300 to an unlatched or disengaged position (e.g., FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 8, the latch assembly 204 can include a handle portion900. The entire latch assembly 204 can be formed by a single wire, forexample, or two or more wires may be coupled to one another to form theassembly 204. In FIG. 8, the handle portion 900 is formed as asubstantially U-shaped member. The latch assembly 204 can include afirst end 904 and a second end 906. The first end 904 can be bent,deformed, or curled in such a way so as to define an opening 902therein. Likewise, the second end 906 can be bent, deformed, or curledto define an opening 908 therein. Each of the first and second ends canbe bent, deformed, or curled to form three substantially 180° curves,where the middle curve defines the respective opening 902, 908. As shownin FIG. 2, in the engaged or latched position (e.g., with the doorassembly 120 in a close position), the latch assembly 204 engages thefirst member 102. In particular, the first horizontal wire 206 can bedisposed in the opening 902 defined in the first end 904 of the latchassembly 204. As such, the door assembly 120 or the first door 200cannot be moved along direction 602 or 702, respectively, unless thelatch assembly 204 is disengaged from the first horizontal wire 206.

As shown in FIG. 3, the latch assembly 204 can be disengaged orunlatched from the first horizontal wire 206 by moving the handleportion 900 along direction 300. In doing so, the latch assembly 204 ispivotally coupled to a horizontal latch wire 244 disposed on the firstdoor 200. The horizontal latch wire 244 can be any horizontally-disposedwire on the door 200 that allows the latch assembly 204 to freely pivotthereabout along direction 300. The latch assembly 204, and inparticular the first end 904 and second 906, can define sized openings910, 912 respectively for receiving the horizontal latch wire 244. Inaddition, the formation (or bend) of the first end 904 and second end906 can be such that the latch assembly 204 cannot be easily removedfrom its pivotal coupling with the horizontal latch wire 244. Thus, thelatch assembly 204 can pivot relative to the horizontal latch wire 244and allow the door assembly 120 or first door 200 to move between theopen and close positions.

To further understand the manner in which the door assembly 120, and inparticular the latch assembly 204, engages the first member 102, thefirst member 102 can define a door frame. In doing so, the first member102 can include a first frame portion 248, a second frame portion 250,and a base portion 252. The first frame portion 248, second frameportion 250, and base portion 252 can be integrally coupled or formedfrom the plurality of overlapping horizontal and vertical wires thatform the first member 102. The first frame portion 248 and second frameportion 250 can be substantially upright and are disposed on each sideof the door assembly 120. The base portion 252 can be disposedsubstantially below the door assembly 120.

In the close position, the door assembly 120 can include a defined widththat partially overlaps the second frame portion 250 of the first member102. For instance, in FIG. 2, the door assembly 120 can include anoverlap portion 254 that substantially overlaps the second frame portion250. As such, the first end 904 of the latch assembly 204 is pivotallycoupled to the horizontal latch wire 244 at a location disposed in theoverlap portion 254 of the door assembly 120. In this arrangement, thefirst horizontal wire 206 has a defined length in which at least aportion of that defined length can be engaged by the first end 904 ofthe latch assembly 204 in the latched position.

To facilitate the pivotal movement of the door assembly 120 between theopen and close positions, the first member 102 can include asubstantially vertical pivot wire 218. The pivot wire 218 extendslongitudinally from a first end 256 disposed in the base portion 252 toa second end 258 disposed in the first frame portion 248. The first end256 of the pivot wire 218 is coupled to an outer frame wire 246 thatdefines the outer edges of the first frame portion 248, second frameportion 250, and base portion 252. The pivot wire 218 can be welded,adhered, fastened or coupled in any other manner to the outer frame wire246.

As shown in FIG. 2, the door assembly 120 can be coupled to the pivotwire 218 via a plurality of horizontal wires on the door assembly 120engaging the wire 218. For instance, each of the horizontal wires thatform the door assembly 120 can include hooked ends that are pivotallycoupled to the pivot wire 218. In FIG. 2, the first door 200 can includea first horizontal wire 214 having a first hooked end 216, a secondhorizontal wire 212 having a second hooked end 222, a third horizontalwire 224 having a third hooked end 232, and the horizontal latch wire244 having a fourth hooked end 220. The second door 202 also includes aplurality of horizontal wires 228 having hooked ends. For instance, thesecond door 202 can include a first horizontal wire 242 having a firsthooked end 230 and the remaining horizontal wires 228 having hooked ends234, 236, 238 and 240. Each of the hooked ends on the first door 200 andsecond door 202 can also move substantially vertically along the pivotwire 218 to allow both doors to move vertically relative to the firstmember 102 and between the open and close positions.

By enabling the first door 200 and second door 202 to move substantiallyvertically along the pivot wire 218, one or both doors can be movedbetween the open and close positions. In the illustrated embodiment, thedoors would not be able to open and close if such movement wasrestricted due to a plurality of hooks 210 formed on the ends of atleast two horizontal wires of the first member 102. As shown in FIGS. 2,5 and 6, the second frame portion 250 of the first member 102 caninclude a plurality of horizontal frame wires 208. Each of thehorizontal frame wires 208 can include a first end that couples to theouter frame wire 246 and an opposite end that forms one of the pluralityof hooks 210.

In the close position of FIG. 2, the first horizontal wire 214 of thefirst door 200 can be removably coupled to the hook 210. Likewise, thesecond horizontal wire 212 and third horizontal wire 224 can beremovably coupled to respective hooks 210. The second door 202 can beremovably coupled to a plurality of hooks 210 in the close position aswell. For instance, the first horizontal wire 242 and at least one ofthe plurality of horizontal wires 228 can engage respective hooks 210.The first horizontal wire 242 of the second door 202 and the thirdhorizontal wire 224 of the first door 200 can be removably coupled tothe same hook 210, as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the plurality of hooks210 can be oriented either upwards or downwards to engage horizontalwires on the first door 200 and second door 202. Thus, in theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the first member 102 provides a firstmeans for securing the door assembly 120 thereto, i.e., via theplurality of hooks 210, and the door assembly 120 provides a secondmeans for securing the door assembly 120 to the first member 102, i.e.,via the first end 904 of the latch assembly 204 engaging the firsthorizontal wire 206 of the first member 102.

In addition, each of the plurality of hooks 210 can be disposed inwardlyfrom an interior side 608 (FIG. 5) of the second frame portion 250. Asshown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of hooks 210 therefore may bedisposed slightly offset from the interior side 608 and into the definedopening 604. Moreover, each of the plurality of hooks 210 may extendoutwardly in a direction away from the interior of the enclosure 100. Inthis manner, to close the door assembly 120, the first door 200 andsecond door 202 can be pivoted along direction 602 towards the closeposition (e.g., FIG. 2). As the door assembly 120 approaches the closeposition, each of the first door 200 and second door 202 can be liftedsuch that both door slide vertically along the pivot wire 218 and atleast one horizontal wire of the first door 200 and at least onehorizontal wire of the second door 202 can be disposed in an openingformed by at least two of the hooks 210.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, the door assembly 120 can include one ormore mechanisms for removably coupling the first door 200 and seconddoor 202 to one another. In FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, for example, the seconddoor 202 can include a vertical wire 400 that forms a clip 226 at oneend thereof. The wire 400 can be coupled to the first horizontal wire242 of the second door 202 via welding, adhesive, a fastener, or otherknown means. Alternatively, the wire 400 may only be coupled to one ormore of the plurality of horizontal wires 228 that form part of thesecond door 202. In any event, the clip 226 can define an opening 800(FIG. 7) therein for receiving the third horizontal wire 224 of thefirst door 200 in the close position. As such, the third horizontal wire224 can be removably coupled to the clip 226. If it is desired to moveonly the first door 200 to a partially open position 700 as shown inFIG. 6, the third horizontal wire 224 is disengaged or decoupled fromthe clip 226 before the first door 200 can be moved along direction 702towards the partially open position 700.

For purposes of this disclosure, the partially open position refers tothe door assembly 120 being in a partially open position due to thesecond door 202 being disposed in the close position. In FIG. 5, on theother hand, both the first door 200 and second door 202 are shown in anopen position and thus it is referred to in this disclosure as theembodiment of FIG. 5 being the open position. This is not intended tosuggest that the first door 200 is not or cannot reach a fully openposition, but rather only distinguishes the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6with reference to the door assembly 120 in its entirety.

Moreover, with regards to FIG. 5, an embodiment 600 of the entire doorassembly 120 is shown in the open position and an access opening 604 isdefined by interior wires or edges of the first member 102. For example,the size of the opening 604 can be defined along an interior side 606 ofthe first frame portion 248, an interior side 608 of the second frameportion 250, and an interior side 610 of the base portion 252. In thismanner, an animal can enter through the defined opening 604 as the doorassembly 120 is moved along direction 602.

With regards to FIG. 6, a smaller or partial opening 704 is defined andaccessible when the first door 200 is moved along direction 702. Here,the partial opening 704 is defined along an interior side 706 of thefirst frame portion 248, an interior side 708 of the second frameportion 250, and an interior side 710 of the second door 202, and inparticular the first horizontal wire 242.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, another mechanism is provided for securingthe first door 200 and second door 202 to one another in the closeposition. More particularly, this additional mechanism can prevent ananimal from moving the first door 200 relative to the second door 202when both doors are coupled to one another or in the close position.Here, the first door 200 can include a vertical wire 270 that has afirst end coupled to the first horizontal wire 214 and a second end thatforms a hook end 500. In the close position of FIG. 2, for example, thefirst door 200 and second door 202 can be coupled to one another via theclip 226. To add further support and rigidity to the door assembly 120,however, the hook end 500 can be in contact with first horizontal wire242 of the second door 202.

In a related aspect, the second door 202 can include a transverse,substantially U-shaped loop (not shown) that is formed by a wire coupledto the first horizontal wire 242 of the second door 202. The transversewire can be coupled to the plurality of horizontal wires 228 of thesecond door 202. In this aspect, the transverse wire can define aninterior space or opening (not shown) between the transverse wire andthe first horizontal wire 242, such that in the close position of FIG.2, the hook end 500 of vertical wire 270 is movably disposed in thespace or opening defined between the second door 202 and transversewire. The transverse loop may also take the form of a hook, latch, clip,or other coupling mechanism for engaging the hook end 500.

The enclosure of FIG. 1 can be collapsed to a compact or storedposition. To do so, clips or fasteners can be used for coupling each ofthe members to one another in the assembled position (FIG. 1). Byremoving the clips or fasteners, the enclosure can be folded like anaccordion to a compact position. In another aspect, each of the membersmay be hingedly or pivotally coupled to adjacent members and the entireenclosure can be folded or collapsed in an accordion-like manner.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of a latching mechanismis disclosed. The latching mechanism 1000 can consist of a first wire1002, a second wire 1004, and a third wire 1006. The first wire 1002 maybe substantially U-shaped and have a first end 1008 and a second end1010. The first end 1008 and the second end 1010 of the first wire 1002can be pivotally coupled to a horizontal latch wire 244. Further, thefirst wire 1002 can be coupled to the second wire 1004 at severallocations (e.g., 1015, 1017, 1011, and 1013) spaced from the first end1008 and the second end 1010. The first wire 1002 may be coupled to thesecond wire 1004 using a variety of methods such as welding, adhesive, afastener, or other known means.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second wire 1004 can be coupled to the firstwire 1002 and extend horizontally away from the vertical pivot wire 218.Further, the second wire 1004 can be coupled to the third wire 1006. Thesecond wire 1004 can consist of a first bend 1016 and a second bend 1018located at either side of the second wire 1006. The first bend 1016 andthe second bend 1018 can be approximately 180°. In other aspects, thecurvature or degree of bend of the first bend 1016 and second bend 1018can be different from 180°. Further, the first bend 1016 and the secondbend 1018 may form a first substantially horizontal portion 1012 and asecond substantially horizontal portion 1014. The first substantiallyhorizontal portion 1012 and the second substantially horizontal portion1014 can be approximately parallel or disposed at a slight anglerelative to one another. The first substantially horizontal portion 1012and the second substantially horizontal portion 1014 can have a lengthdefined such that both portions of the second wire 1004 can couple tothe third wire 1006 and the third wire 1006 is able to be properlyaligned for coupling to the first horizontal wire 206 in the closeposition.

The second wire 1004 can be coupled to the third wire 1006 at a firstlocation 1026 and a second 1028 location. The second wire 1004 and thethird wire 1006 can be coupled to one another at one or more locationsand using any known method (e.g., welding, adhesive, fastener, etc.).One skilled in the art can understand how the specific locations andnumber of coupling points need only be sufficient to allow the necessarystructural integrity of the coupled wires. A plurality of locations maybe used to couple the wires to one another and the specific locationsidentified in this disclosure are not intended to be limiting.

The third wire 1006 can have a first end 1021 that is coupled to thesecond wire 1004 at the second location 1028 which allows the third wire1006 to properly engage the first horizontal wire 206 in the closeposition. The third wire 1006 can have a second end 1023 that is bent,deformed, or curled in such a way so as to form an opening 1020 thereinfor receiving the first horizontal wire 206. In one example, the secondend 1023 of the third wire 1006 can be bent, deformed, or curled to formthree approximately 180° bends, where the opening 1020 is defined by oneof the bends. Further, the first 180° bend 1022 can form an opening forpivotally receiving the horizontal latch wire 244. In this manner, thelatching mechanism 1000 can be pivotally coupled to the horizontal latchwire 244 at the first end 1008 and the second end 1010 of the first wire1002 and the opening formed by the first bend 1022 of the third wire1006.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the engaged or latched position (e.g., with thedoor assembly 120 in the close position) the latch assembly 1000 engagesthe second frame portion 250. In particular, the first horizontal wire206 can be disposed in the opening 1020 defined in the second bend 1030of the third wire 1006. As such, the door assembly 120 or the first door200 cannot be moved along direction 602 or 702 (FIGS. 5 and 6),respectively, unless the latch assembly 1000 is disengaged from thefirst horizontal wire 206. Similar to the manner in which ends 1008 and1010 are pivotally coupled to horizontal latch wire 244, the third wire1006 can be pivotally coupled to the horizontal latch wire 244 byengaging the horizontal latch wire 244 with the first bend 1022. Thus,the latch assembly 1000 can pivot relative to the horizontal latch wire244 and allow the door assembly 120 or first door 200 to move between anopen and close position.

While this particular embodiment couples three separate wires togetherto achieve the latching functionality, one skilled in the art canunderstand how a similar embodiment could consist of any number of wiresand still function similarly. For instance, instead of coupling threewires to one another, a single wire could be structured to achievesubstantially the same result. Alternatively, four or more wires may bestructured to achieve the desired function as described herein.

While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosurehave been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A latch for releasably coupling a door to adoor frame, the door frame having at least a vertical wire and ahorizontal wire, and the door including a horizontal wire and beingpivotable about the vertical wire between an open position and a closedposition, comprising: a first wire formed into a substantially U-shapedstructure, the first wire having a first curled end and a second curledend adapted to be pivotably coupled to the horizontal wire of the door;a second wire coupled to the first wire; and a third wire coupled to thesecond wire at at least two locations, the third wire forming at least afirst bend and a second bend, the first bend defining an opening forreceiving the horizontal wire of the door frame in the closed positionand the second bend coupling to the horizontal wire of the door; whereinthe second wire forms a first curved end and a second curved end, thefirst wire and second wire being coupled to one another at at least twolocations near the first curved end; further wherein the second wire andthird wire are coupled to one another at at least two locations near thesecond curved end.
 2. The latch of claim 1, wherein the first wire ispivotable between a first position and a second position, where apivotable movement of the first wire induces a concomitant pivotablemovement of the third wire.
 3. The latch of claim 1, wherein the secondwire forms a substantially continuous loop.
 4. The latch of claim 1,wherein the first wire and second wire are coupled to one another at atleast four locations.
 5. The latch of claim 1, wherein the second wirecomprises a first substantially horizontal portion and a secondsubstantially horizontal portion, where the first substantiallyhorizontal portion and the second substantially horizontal portion eachcouple to the first and third wires at at least one location.
 6. Thelatch of claim 1, wherein the third wire comprises a third bend, wherethe first bend, second bend, and third bend are each spaced from the atleast two locations where the second and third wires are coupled to oneanother.
 7. A latch for releasably coupling a door to a door frame of ananimal enclosure, the door frame having a vertical wire and a horizontalwire, and the door including a horizontal wire and being pivotable aboutthe vertical wire of the door frame between an open position and aclosed, position, comprising: a first wire formed into a substantiallyU-shaped structure, the first wire having a first curled end and asecond curled end adapted to be pivotably coupled to the door; a secondwire coupled to the first wire; and a third wire coupled to the secondwire and forming at least a first bend and a second bend, the first benddefining an opening for receiving the horizontal wire of the door framein the closed position and the second bend coupling to the horizontalwire of the door; wherein the second wire forms a first curved end and asecond curved end, the first wire and second wire being coupled to oneanother at at least two locations near the first curved end; wherein thefirst wire is pivotable between a first position and a second position,where a pivotable movement of the first wire induces a concomitantpivotable movement of the third wire; further wherein the second wireand third wire are coupled to one another at at least two locations nearthe second curved end.
 8. The latch of claim 7, wherein the second wireforms a substantially continuous loop.
 9. The latch of claim 7, whereinthe first wire and second wire are coupled to one another at at leastfour locations.
 10. The latch of claim 7, wherein the second wirecomprises a first substantially horizontal portion and a secondsubstantially horizontal portion, were the first substantiallyhorizontal portion and the second substantially horizontal portion eachcouple to the first and third wires at at least one location.
 11. Thelatch of claim 7, wherein the third wire comprises a third bend, wherethe first bend, second bend, and third bend are each spaced from the atleast two locations where the second and third wires are coupled to oneanother.
 12. A latch for releasably coupling a door to a door frame ofan animal enclosure, the door frame having a vertical wire and ahorizontal wire, and the door including a horizontal wire and beingpivotable about the vertical wire of the door frame between an openposition and a closed position, comprising: a first wire formed into asubstantially U-shaped structure, the first wire having a first curledend and a second curled end adapted to be pivotably coupled to the door;a second wire coupled to the first wire, the second wire forming asubstantially continuous loop; and a third wire coupled to the secondwire and forming at least a first bend and a second bend, the first benddefining an opening for receiving the horizontal wire of the door framein the closed position and the second bend coupling to the horizontalwire of the door; wherein the second wire forms a first curved end and asecond curved end, the first wire and second wire being coupled to oneanother at at least two locations near the first curved end; wherein thefirst wire is pivotable between a first position and a second position,where a pivotable movement of the first wire induces a concomitantpivotable movement of the third wire; further wherein the second wireand third wire are coupled to one another at at least two locations nearthe second curved end.
 13. The latch of claim 12, wherein the first wireand second wire are coupled to one another at at least four locations.14. The latch of claim 12, wherein the second wire comprises a firstsubstantially horizontal portion and a second substantially horizontalportion, where the first substantially horizontal portion and the secondsubstantially horizontal portion each couple to the first and thirdwires at at least one location.
 15. The latch of claim 12, wherein thethird wire comprises a third bend, where the first bend, second bend,and third bend are each spaced from the at least two locations where thesecond and third wires are coupled to one another.